The proscribed United Liberation Front of Asom once again showed its intolerance to criticism of its core demand for 'restoration of sovereignty' of the people of Assam.

The banned militant group on Saturday reacted very sharply to Asom Sahitya Sabha president Kanaksen Deka's criticism of its demand for sovereignty.

The fugitive chairman of the militant group Arabinda Rajkhowa in statement e-mailed to the media in Guwahati termed author and editor of a leading Assamese daily Deka an agent of the Research & Analysis Wing and a representative of 'colonial Indian rulers'.

ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa stated that the militant group didn't ask for restoration of sovereignty of the people of Assam from the ASS. He claimed that the ASS stand against the 'demand for sovereignty' didn't reflect views of all sections of indigenous people in the state and accused Deka of converting the ASS to a tool in the hands of 'colonial Indian rulers'.

The ASS, the largest organisation of litterateurs in Assam, on Friday belittled ULFA's demand for sovereignty terming it impractical in the light of the provisions in the Constitution of India that disallows the government to even hold discussion on the issue of sovereignty.

The Sabha also called the peace parleys, if any, between the government of India and ULFA a 'vague discussion'. ASS president Kanaksen Deka said, "ULFA wants talk on its demand for sovereignty, but no one, not even the prime minister or even Parliament, can grant them sovereignty."

He pointed out that the Constitution had no provisions for secession and it would have to be scrapped if the government would even agree to discuss the issue of sovereignty.

Deka elaborated on the historical ties of the north-east with mainland India and the active participation of the people from the region in the country's freedom struggle. He said the people of the region, including Assam had opted to stay with India, and that Assam was an inseparable part of India.

He suggested that the insurgency issue should be addressed in a democratic manner and the Centre be approached for incentives to expedite development of the region, which will be a more effective way to root out insurgency than using force.

He urged the Hindi-speaking and other linguistic minority people of the state not to flee in the wake of the ULFA threat against them as the people of Assam were with them.

"We will strive to our best to protect them. The Sabha also calls on the government to ensure safety and security of all sections of people," Deka said.